The Most Important Travel Advisories Announced in May

The busy summer travel period is officially here and with many Americans set to venture overseas in the coming months, it's a great time to catch up on the latest guidance from the U.S. State Department.

Officials issued several updates during May, with advisories ranging from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel). 

Here are the most important travel advisory updates from the past month. 

A worldwide caution was issued for all Americans traveling abroad on May 17. "Due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution," officials warned. "The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events and advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution."

Travelers are urged to stay alert and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency overseas.

The State Department reissued its Level 1 travel advisory for Poland on May 1, encouraging travelers to exercise normal precautions when visiting the popular European country this summer.

Officials also reissued a Level 2 travel advisory for Germany due to terrorism on May 1. "Terrorist groups keep planning attacks in Germany. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning," according to the State Department. "They target tourist locations and transportation hubs. They also target markets/shopping malls and local government facilities. They target hotels, clubs, and restaurants. They also attack places of worship, parks, and major sporting and cultural events. They target schools, airports, and other public areas."

Visitors to Germany are encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Americans are advised to avoid travel to Venezuela this summer due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

Travelers should also reconsider visiting the South American country due to wrongful detentions, terrorism and poor health infrastructure, the State Department warns.

The State Department reissued a Level 2 travel advisory for the African nation of Tunisia on May 14, urging visitors to exercise increased caution due to the threat of terrorism.

Areas to avoid include:

• Within 10 miles of the Algerian border due to terrorism, except for the cities of Tabarka and Ain Draham
• Within 10 miles of the border with Libya due to terrorism
• The Mount Chaambi National Park, Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma, and Mount Mghila in Kasserine governorate due to terrorism
• The Mount Orbata area in the Gafsa governorate due to terrorism
• The desert south of Remada due to the military zone

Travelers should exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping. Specific areas to avoid this summer include the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping. Visitors should also not travel to Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Meanwhile, the State Department asks Americans to reconsider travel to other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping.

In the South Pacific, Americans should reconsider travel to New Caledonia due to civil unrest and crime.

"On May 15, 2024, the French Government declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing riots throughout New Caledonia over electoral reform," the State Department noted in a May 17 update. "The French Government closed the La Tontouta International Airport on May 14, 2024. The French Government also has taken and/or could take additional measures, including curfews, restrictions on freedom of movement, ID verification, and increased security inspections."